Opinion 2023 AFL Draft Prospects

[Here we go dogs]

When Caleb Daniel was in his draft year, the write-ups said that on skill and ability, he was top 5. He slid to the 40s because of his size alone, and became an AA, premiership player, B&F, and nobody wants to miss out on that again. Watson is more athletic than Caleb and just as skilled.

From memory it was touted a 50/50 whether caleb would get picked up at all. I think we probably took him earlier than expected.

Even with the caleb story I find it hard to believe in a string draft that a sub 170 player would go top 5. Players of that build will always have limitations aerially and minimal scope to run through the midfield as a centre bounce player. It’s very rare small forwards or half forwards go top 5 in the draft.

 

[doggies ftw]

I haven’t seen the kid so maybe he is just an all out star, but I 100% would not use a top 5 pick on him. You just don’t take kids that small that highly.

 

[hatescaptcha]

Reid is the best mid by a fair margin and we desperately need a young elite mid. Make it happen.


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[Here we go dogs]

I haven’t seen the kid so maybe he is just an all out star, but I 100% would not use a top 5 pick on him. You just don’t take kids that small that highly.

From memory it was touted a 50/50 whether caleb would get picked up at all. I think we probably took him earlier than expected.

Even with the caleb story I find it hard to believe in a string draft that a sub 170 player would go top 5. Players of that build will always have limitations aerially and minimal scope to run through the midfield as a centre bounce player. It’s very rare small forwards or half forwards go top 5 in the draft.

Despite what I have said, I would trade up for him. I think he genuinely changes the dynamic of the forward line. There are two things he has that set him apart from Caleb, speed and strength. He seems to stick his tackles.

My doubts are more with a recruiter using an early pick on him as typically the top 5 picks are for clubs struggling that need to address structural players (Mids and KPP). I think we are in a position where we can afford to use a high picks on a link up/small forward player. This isn’t a luxury the bottom sides are afforded if they chase immediate improvement.

We can hold off on the midfield for one more year with our top pick. We can look at addressing mids in the interim via trade (Gold Coast have a couple) or later in the draft.

As a disclaimer I have only half watched 1 game and have seen enough.

 

[Golden_6]

If we had a top 5 pick then I’d pick Watson without hesitation, he’s that good. I’d say he’s like a Papley/Butters clone. I could easily see him being a damaging 20-25 touch a game player, kicking 40 goals a year.

It’s hard to say exactly what role he’ll play. I think he’ll start at half forward and be given license to push up to stoppages, essentially roam the ground causing havoc and push hard into attack.

 

[Bulldogs85]

Reid is the best mid by a fair margin and we desperately need a young elite mid. Make it happen.


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Forget about Reid will cost a lot to get pick 1 from West Coast

 

[Mojorisin]

If we had a top 5 pick then I’d pick Watson without hesitation, he’s that good. I’d say he’s like a Papley/Butters clone. I could easily see him being a damaging 20-25 touch a game player, kicking 40 goals a year.

It’s hard to say exactly what role he’ll play. I think he’ll start at half forward and be given license to push up to stoppages, essentially roam the ground causing havoc and push hard into attack.

Reminds me of a faster Toby Greene.

 

[hatescaptcha]

The Wizard is elite. He is the same size as K.Pickett and you see how his speed and agility makes him hard to stop.

He would be a great addition to add to Weightman, Clarke and Arty as he can also play that high half forward / rotate through mid role as well.


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[Here we go dogs]

Reminds me of a faster Toby Greene.

He doesn’t look bad overhead for his size.

 

[Nat Fyfe]

I’m obviously not Wizard but for me, outside of Reid, Colby McKercher is definitely the best pure mid in it. He’ll go top 5, seems a perfect fit for Carlton as they need his pace. Darcy Wilson plays more outside at the moment but I’d back him in to become a very capable inside mid, got all he tools. If we were to trade up to the Suns pick, he’d be the one I’d want.

McKercher seems extremely one sided, which could be problematic at AFL level as teams will figure him out. I'd like to see him seriously address that. I like Sanders - not massive top end speed but has decent acceleration (which is all that really matters for centre bounce mids) and he's a great extractor. Probably the closest thing we'll get to a Libba replacement given we won't be getting near the top 5 of this years' draft.

It's not like it's a dealbreaker for McKercher though. Bont's right foot is utter dogshit. Almost never see him hit a target when forced onto his right, and look at the player he is. McKercher will almost certainly still be a gun, I just don't think he'll be at the same level as Reid/Daicos

 

[Mojorisin]

McKercher seems extremely one sided, which could be problematic at AFL level as teams will figure him out. I'd like to see him seriously address that. I like Sanders - not massive top end speed but has decent acceleration (which is all that really matters for centre bounce mids) and he's a great extractor. Probably the closest thing we'll get to a Libba replacement given we won't be getting near the top 5 of this years' draft.

It's not like it's a dealbreaker for McKercher though. Bont's right foot is utter dogshit. Almost never see him hit a target when forced onto his right, and look at the player he is. McKercher will almost certainly still be a gun, I just don't think he'll be at the same level as Reid/Daicos

I also prefer sanders to McKercher also doesn't doesn't come with the same go home factor.

 

[goodcop badcop]

Is this shaping up to be a very shallow draft? I had a view when most the top prospects are mainly talls the drafts are very hit and miss.

Also does a guy standing at 170 being touted so highly say something about the crop? I would still trade up for him. Think he genuinely changes our team year 1.

There's a lot of talent in this draft, certainly more so then last year. Looks like there's a good amount of depth to it as well, but time will tell as the season progresses. There are lot of talls, mixed with a lot hybrid types at the top end rather then your pure midfield types. Some of those have the potential to be midfielders in the future, but there's some uncertainty surrounding that. There is also quite a number of talented half backs and small forwards to choose from later on.

As for Watson, it certainly is highly unusual for someone of that height to go that high, but when you have a player with a high level of footy smarts, that competes hard, is very clean, well performed and is in the elite bracket athletically I would say that is also highly unusual. What I've also liked about him is he's performing very well even when coping a bit of attention which is another big tick. He also performed very well off half back against Port's reserves side and has racked up some big numbers through the midfield at Coates league level so isn't necessarily limited to the forward line. He has a very good leap, tested in the elite bracket which somewhat makes up for his lack of height when competing aerially.

 

[mattwa]

Whatever mid we get I want someone with pace and can kick. Realistically what would it take to get Reid?

English for Reid - Dogs say No (unless Tim is gun ho on going back)

2 x first rounders and a 2nd next year - Eagles prob say no to that

 

[Mojorisin]

Whatever mid we get I want someone with pace and can kick. Realistically what would it take to get Reid?

English for Reid - Dogs say No (unless Tim is gun ho on going back)

2 x first rounders and a 2nd next year - Eagles prob say no to that

Considering the current offer is 2 first round picks both top 10(gws & richmond) and a future second we would have to offer something rediculous to get the deal done. They would probably ask for English and lions first rounder.

 

[TiAn_]

Considering the current offer is 2 first round picks both top 10(gws & richmond) and a future second we would have to offer something rediculous to get the deal done. They would probably ask for English and lions first rounder.

Yeah we’re out of the running for pick 1. There will be other picks available later in the top 10, if ours isn’t in the top 10.

 

[Mojorisin]

Yeah we’re out of the running for pick 1. There will be other picks available later in the top 10, if ours isn’t in the top 10.

I see pick 4 to about 8 as a sweet spot we should be aiming for. a top tier mid or mid/fwd will be available whilst also getting above a Croft bid. We are somewhat lucky there are other quality talls both club linked and in the open pool. Guys like Read, Edwards, Caddy, McCabe, Walter, O'Sullivan, Morris and Curtin should take some eyes away from Croft.

 

[dergert]

Fwiw I've seen Croft play a handful of times and think he shouldn't be pigeonholed into being just a key forwards.

He has shown glimpses that he would be worth trying on a wing or in defence.

 

[doggies ftw]

Despite what I have said, I would trade up for him. I think he genuinely changes the dynamic of the forward line. There are two things he has that set him apart from Caleb, speed and strength. He seems to stick his tackles.

My doubts are more with a recruiter using an early pick on him as typically the top 5 picks are for clubs struggling that need to address structural players (Mids and KPP). I think we are in a position where we can afford to use a high picks on a link up/small forward player. This isn’t a luxury the bottom sides are afforded if they chase immediate improvement.

We can hold off on the midfield for one more year with our top pick. We can look at addressing mids in the interim via trade (Gold Coast have a couple) or later in the draft.

As a disclaimer I have only half watched 1 game and have seen enough.

Fair enough, hearing the way people speak about him maybe he is that good that it’s worth it.

The thought of having 4 smalls like Cody, Arty, Clarke & Watson in the forward line pushing up to help the midfield does sound really exciting.

 

[Mojorisin]

Another player I'd love to bring in would be Diesel Moloney. Small defender capable of lockdown roles and can rebound. The name should be reason enough though

 

[Charlie Bucket]

I’m obviously not Wizard but for me, outside of Reid, Colby McKercher is definitely the best pure mid in it. He’ll go top 5, seems a perfect fit for Carlton as they need his pace. Darcy Wilson plays more outside at the moment but I’d back him in to become a very capable inside mid, got all he tools. If we were to trade up to the Suns pick, he’d be the one I’d want.

Outside of McKercher, there doesn’t seem to be too many standouts locked in to top 10-20 spots. Would be a waste trading up to any pick outside of the top 5, as a few are suggesting to do.

Just had a look at Wilson’s highlights. Not a bad sidestep. Good skill and composure. What’s his draft ranking like at the moment?

 

[LittleG]

Most of what this draft seems to look like ATM is talls and flankers from what I've seen of the champ games. Might be able to sort some issues with our forward line or wings this year would wait for next year on the first round mids where our picks are standing at the moment.

You are right. Very few midfielders. Good KPP though and HBF. Some decent wings too.

I would be happy for us to draft what this draft is good at, we need those players.

Next year we need to get into the top 10, as the options are great.

Perhaps we wait until close to the draft and try and trade up during the draft to get ahead of the Croft pick. Offer F2/3 & current 2. Teams may well be open to us moving up a couple of spots when they get something back.


I am open to trading out a solid player for picks this year. A package of high picks or future picks would be ok. We aren’t in the window BUT we could get into it with removal of what we have in excess.

Our HFF of Macrae, Daniel, Scott and Smith. They either aren’t fast enough for this role (Macrae, Scott & Daniel) OR can’t hit a target for this role (Smith). These are good players but IF this is where they play, I would rather bring in someone better. IF Smith can learn to be accountable enough to be an inside mid OR kick better; then keeping him is best…. but he isn’t at the moment. Treloar did eventually develop the accountability, so there is hope for Smith as an inside mid.
I would rather play Wilson, Watson or Sanders in that role.

 

[LittleG]

Outside of McKercher, there doesn’t seem to be too many standouts locked in to top 10-20 spots. Would be a waste trading up to any pick outside of the top 5, as a few are suggesting to do.

Just had a look at Wilson’s highlights. Not a bad sidestep. Good skill and composure. What’s his draft ranking like at the moment?

Wilson is in the 8-15 range. May get to us or may not. One of my favourites, likely to be the outside deliverer who we desperately need.

 

[Wizard17]

In your opinion, who are the standout mids so far this year and where do you think they’ll go on draft night?

Reid & Mckercher the best I've seen probs both top 5. Ryley Sanders also pushing it up the board.

 

[LittleG]

Reid & Mckercher the best I've seen probs both top 5. Ryley Sanders also pushing it up the board.

What do you think of Wilson?

Also, best interceptor?

 

[_Cerberus_]

Cannot wait for the July 2nd match between Allies and Metro. SA and WA look way out of it so far this season. Country yet to play. But will be interesting to see the two midfields of Allies and Metro go head to head.